Logo
    Show
    Hide
    Login
    Close

    SITE LOGIN

    • Forgot your password?

    Register

    New Ski Touring Maps and Guides
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us

    HOTTEST REVIEWS


    Elan Ripstick 106 Black Edition Skis Dynafit Free 107 Skis Ortovox Diract Voice Transceiver Burton Straight Chuter Splitboard Scarpa 4-Quattro XT Boots Atomic Backland Carbon Boots Plum OAZO Bindings

    VIDEOS YOU'LL LIKE


    Avalanche Transceivers 101 Dalbello Quantum Boots How To Buy a Transceiver North Face FUTURELIGHT Jacket Faction La Machine Skis Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Boots Plum OAZO Bindings

    NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

    Unsubscribe
    • Home
    • »
    • REVIEWS
    • »
    • Ski Gear
    • »
    • Skis
    • »
    • DPS Alchemist Wailer 100RP2 Skis

    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100 RP

     

    The DPS Alchemist Wailer 100 RP is the little brother of the Alchemist Wailer 112 RP I have been skiing for the last two seasons. I was looking for a match for a pair of Scarpa F1 LT boots (review in the works) for a lightweight touring set up, and I was also keen to have a spare pair of resorts skis. Lucky for me, my beefy downhill focused boots—Dynafit Vulcans—have virtually the same BSL as the Scarpa F1 LTs. Both resort and touring boots work with the same ski. Mission accomplished.

    The 100s are the skinniest men's skis we have reviewed from DPS. If you are keen to read a review of the Yvette 100 women's skis we put together, click on over here.  If you'd like to read other reviews we have done of DPS skis, check out our thoughts on the Wailer 112 in a Pure3 carbon version, or the uber light DPS Wailer 112 Tour1s. On the more portly side of the scale, check out the Lotus 120 or the Lotus 124 Tour1s. For the same ski but in a different size, look to our review of the Alchemist Wailer 112.  

    DPS Alchemist Wailer 112RP2 Skis

    I have always been a sucker for DPS' simple design style and primary colouring. The 100s are pretty much indistinguishable from the 112s. The 100s are just, you guessed it, 12 mm less wide underfoot. I have the skis paired with Dynafit Speed Radicals, my binder of preference for just about anything. Click on the arrow in the orange bar below to get more deets.

    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100
    SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEOS
    A big part of the performance of the ski is thanks to the PHANTOM Permanent Waxless Glide that has been applied (look for the black dot about the toepiece). This magic "glide" (not wax...) makes the ski slide in all conditions. The DPS folks have evolved to version 2.0 and it's pretty amazing. It's a one-time treatment that lasts for the life of any ski or snowboard—not just DPS skis. Check out their little promo video below for the details. If you are in Nelson, visit ROAM Shop. They are one of the few stores in the area that have the tech to apply Phantom. 
    Just enough rocker on the tips to facilitate planing. Note the "Paddle Tech" sidecut. This is slightly less pronounced in the 100 than in the 112. The widest part of the ski is just back from the DPS logo. This is also referred to as  5-point sidecut (pioneered by DPS engineers, BTW). 
    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100
    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100
    Not as extreme rocker-wise as some of the earlier Wailer models, the Wailer 100 RP shape sports 480 mm Rocker on the tip and 84 mm on the tails. The first Wailer we skied, without the RP2 designation, had a more pronounced rocker that, in hindsight, seems like overkill.
    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100
    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100
    The Alchemist uses a non-cap, UHMW (Ptex) sidewall construction, and sports a "half-camber" underfoot. It's more difficult to manufacture than a cap construction and may contribute to the ski's remarkable snap. 
    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100

    New in last year's model is the slightly raised mounting surface underfoot. This likely makes for a bomber binding-to-ski connection. 

    DPS Alchemist Wailer 112RP2 Skis
    The Alchemist carbon build in this ski is a big part of what makes it so special. Light and stiff without the flapping around at speed that came with earlier carbon, rockered skis.
    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100
    If you want to nerd out on the layup, look to the schematic below. It illustrates what makes the ski so special and may help you justify the hefty price tag if you are considering a purchase.
    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100

    There's more branding  on the bottom of these skis than on the top. Works for me when I huck my meat over huge gaps and I want everyone below to know what kind of skis I am riding ;o)

    DPS Alchemist Wailer 100

    Features:

    • Pure prepreg carbon fibre laminate
    • Aspen wood core
    • Textured polymide top
    • UHMW sidewalls
    • Wide profile Rockwell 48 steel edges
    • Fast and hard world cup race bases
    • Phantom permanent base treatment (optional addition)
    • Textured nylon topsheet

    Verdict:


    DPS positions this as a killer resort ski that doubles as a great touring ski—unless the powder is super deep. I would build on this idea and say that the ski is good in deep pow, too. Because of the 5-point side cut and hefty shovel, the 100s get you up on a plane pretty quick.

    Many 110+ underfoot skis tend to bring you up on the surface fast and keep you there.
    The 100 tend to ride a little deeper in the snow because there is less flotation. Remember how skinny skis used to be, and how we loved them anyway? The 100s float a little less and may produce more faceshots—what's not to love about that.

    In terms of how the ski performs at the resort, early impressions are positive. Groomers are a blast and hard pack is easy to handle. Because the 100 drops a quarter lb. on each ski (compared to the 112s), the swingweight feels a lot less. This comes into play skiing tight trees and when setting an uptrack in the backcountry (switchbacks are a breeze).

    My desire was for this ski to have most all of the same properties as the Wailer 112 in a smaller, lighter ski. So far, so very good. I am not an aggressive skier, I prefer a light touch and the Wailer 100s work with my style.  Because the 100s are less wide underfoot that the 112s, they are also easier to get up on an edge. They may even help my knees from exploding for a little longer. 

    The PHANTOM Permanent Waxless Glide treatment gets three thumbs up.  After a season-long test—with another pair of skis—I was impressed with remarkable glide in all conditions. I am confident that my experience will be the same this season. HOT TIP: If you are buying direct from DPS, ask them to apply the Phantom Base Glide at the factory. It means your skis will be good to go when they arrive. 

    PROS:

    • All the DPS Wailer magic in a smaller package.
    • Amazingly fun.
    • Light, torsionally stiff and remarkably powerful.
    • Fully Phantomed, this ski is unstoppable.

    CONS:

    • Spendy. 
    • It'd be appreciated if the skis automatically came Phantomed.

    SPECS:

    Price:
    Skis:$1399CAN / $1299 US
    Phantom Waxless Baseglide: $119.99CAN / $99 US
    Lengths: 171, 179, 184, 189cm    
    Turn Radius: 15-18m (184cm)   
    Dimensions: 126/100/114mm
    Weight: 1805g / 3.23lb (per ski)

    RATING: 9.5/10

    Powder Performance   2/2 
    Groomer Performance 2/2 
    Stability                      2/2
    Weight                        2/2 
    Value                          1.5/2

    buy backcountry skiing gear


    Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in below and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation. You'll need to login or register before you can comment but it only takes a few seconds, then you're good to go.

    Leave a Comment:

    Back to the rest of the reviews.


    We built this backcountry skiing community for you, the passionate skier, and hope you enjoy the hard work we put into all the reviews, routes, videos, and posts we create. It’s been free from day one but that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable resource. If you enjoy this website and value the content we create for you, then please support Backcountry Skiing Canada by donating today or by clicking on those sponsor ads and 'Buy Now' links at the bottom of the reviews. Thank you!

    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022-23 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved.